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Off-duty Lee's Summit police officer killed, woman hurt after shooting outside Westport restaurant

Posted at 8:59 PM, Aug 20, 2017
and last updated 2017-08-22 10:40:25-04

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- An off-duty Lee's Summit police officer was killed and a woman injured after a shooting in Westport Sunday night. 

Extended Coverage: Kansas City Metro Homicide Tracker 

Thomas Orr, 30, was identified as the victim of the shooting that occurred at Californos around 8:30 p.m, Kansas City police said. 

Officials said about 200 people were in the area at the time. According to witnesses, the woman was arguing with the suspect before shots were fired. 

Orr was pronounced dead at the scene. The woman was taken away by ambulance with a gunshot wound to the arm. 

Police believe the suspect left the scene with three other people.

Orr was an officer with the Lee's Summit Police Department since March 2015 and was assigned as a school resource officer at Bernard Campbell Middle School. Prior to joining LSPD, Orr worked for the Marshall, Missouri Police Department. 

The Lee's Summit school district released the following statement: 

"We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Officer Orr. During his brief time as a school resource officer at Bernard Campbell Middle School, he impressed our staff with his positive attitude and his focus on students. In just three short days with students last week, he was already making connections and building rapport."

41 Action News spoke exclusively with one of the men who tried to save Orr's life at the scene. Christopher Johnson grew up in Kansas City and was at the bar that night to catch up with friends. When he heard shots ring out, he ran in the opposite direction of the crowd.

"Somebody needed help," Johnson explained.

Along with Californos staff members and other bystanders, Johnson held towels to Orr's wounds in an effort to stop the bleeding.

"He was fighting for air. He was fighting. I just said hey, let's fight. We're going to fight together. You're not going anywhere," Johnson said of the off-duty officer's final moments.

Despite the fact that 200 people were in the area at the time of the shooting, police say they've only gotten three tips. Anyone with information is asked to call the TIPS hotline at 816-747-8477. 

This was the weekend's third homicide in Kansas City, Missouri, marking the city's 96th homicide of the year. 

Editor's Note: This version of the story states that the woman injured in the shooting argued with the shooter, according to KCPD. 

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